Rafael Nogueira
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Denmark host Portugal in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday 1 October 2026, and the predicted lineups for both sides raise an immediate selection question: how does Brian Riemer cover for the absence of Albert Grönbaek, while Jorge Jesus can pick from a squad with no confirmed absentees at all? That imbalance in available options is the main selection story heading into kickoff.
Predicted Denmark Line-up
Denmark’s projected XI is built around a 4-2-3-1, which is Brian Riemer’s preferred shape as head coach. It is a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – which points to real continuity across the two most recent line-ups used for this projection. Gustav Isaksen is the one name to watch in that XI, with only one start in the sample compared with a starting XI that is otherwise uniform, while Rasmus Hojlund has started both matches used here and looks the clear first-choice striker.
Denmark predicted XI: Filip Jørgensen; Joachim Andersen, Oliver Provstgaard, Joakim Maehle, Rasmus Kristensen; Mikkel Damsgaard, Patrick Dorgu, Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Gustav Isaksen; Rasmus Hojlund
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 22 | Filip Jørgensen | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 2 | Joachim Andersen | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 3 | Oliver Provstgaard | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 5 | Joakim Maehle | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 13 | Rasmus Kristensen | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 14 | Mikkel Damsgaard | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 17 | Patrick Dorgu | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 21 | Morten Hjulmand | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 23 | Pierre-Emile Højbjerg | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 8 | Gustav Isaksen | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 9 | Rasmus Hojlund | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Portugal Predicted XI
Portugal’s expected XI also lines up in a 4-2-3-1, matching Jorge Jesus’ preferred formation as coach. This is a settled side too – 10 of the projected XI started their last match – though the midfield shows more churn than Denmark’s group. João Palhinha and Rúben Neves both stand out for the opposite reason: Palhinha has only one start in the sample used, while Rúben Neves has the same tally and did not start Portugal’s most recent match, making his slot the least certain in the projected XI.
Portugal predicted XI: Diogo Costa; Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, João Cancelo; Pedro Neto, João Palhinha, Francisco Conceicao, João Neves, Rúben Neves; Joao Felix
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Diogo Costa | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 3 | Rúben Dias | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 13 | Renato Veiga | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 19 | Nuno Mendes | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 20 | João Cancelo | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 18 | Pedro Neto | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 6 | João Palhinha | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 13 | Francisco Conceicao | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 15 | João Neves | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 21 | Rúben Neves | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 11 | Joao Felix | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Albert Grönbaek is out injured for Denmark, thinning the options available to Brian Riemer heading into this Nations League fixture. Of the bench options, Victor Froholdt is the most experienced alternative with a start already logged in this sample, making him the likeliest replacement if changes are needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Grönbaek | injured | Torn muscle fiber |
For Portugal, no absentees are recorded in the data, leaving Jorge Jesus with a full complement of options to choose from. Should he look to freshen up the attack or midfield, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes have all started at least once in the matches used here and offer readymade cover from the bench.
How We Predict These XIs
Each predicted lineup here is built from the last two available line-ups for that side, with the most recent match weighted more heavily than the one before it. Players confirmed as injured or suspended, such as Albert Grönbaek for Denmark, are removed from selection entirely before the projection is built. With only two matches used for each team, this remains a tentative team news read rather than a confirmed one, and it can shift once the official team sheet for this match is announced.
Read also: Denmark vs Portugal Prediction: 01.10.2026 UEFA Nations League
FAQ
What formation are Denmark and Portugal expected to play?
Both sides are projected to use a 4-2-3-1, reflecting the preferred formation of Brian Riemer for Denmark and Jorge Jesus for Portugal.
Who is predicted to start in goal for Denmark vs Portugal?
Filip Jørgensen is projected in goal for Denmark, with Diogo Costa expected to start for Portugal, both having started every match used in this sample.
Who is unavailable for Denmark vs Portugal?
Albert Grönbaek is out injured for Denmark. No absentees are recorded in the data for Portugal.
When do Denmark and Portugal kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match kicks off on Thursday 1 October 2026.